U.S. patent application number 14/208333 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for retaining clip and bracket for roof molding.
This patent application is currently assigned to Honda Motor Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Honda Motor Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Benjamin Fulton.
Application Number | 20140265455 14/208333 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51524317 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140265455 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fulton; Benjamin |
September 18, 2014 |
RETAINING CLIP AND BRACKET FOR ROOF MOLDING
Abstract
A molding fixing assembly for securing a roof molding in a roof
groove includes a bracket fixedly secured in the roof groove and a
separate clip mounted to the molding. The bracket includes a base
and a pair of arms extending substantially perpendicularly from
opposed longitudinal side edges of the base. At least one of the
arms includes a first retaining member and a second retaining
member having a configuration different than the first retaining
member. The clip includes a body having a pair of longitudinal
sidewalls and a pair of end walls. At least one of the sidewalls
has a post projecting therefrom. To connect the clip to the
bracket, the sidewalls of the clip are positioned between the pair
of arms of the bracket. The first retaining member engages one of
the sidewalls of the clip and the second retaining member engages
the post.
Inventors: |
Fulton; Benjamin; (Dublin,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
51524317 |
Appl. No.: |
14/208333 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61779681 |
Mar 13, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/210 ; 24/289;
29/525.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 5/128 20130101;
Y10T 29/49959 20150115; B60R 13/04 20130101; Y10T 24/30
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/210 ; 24/289;
29/525.08 |
International
Class: |
F16B 5/12 20060101
F16B005/12; B60R 13/04 20060101 B60R013/04; B62D 25/06 20060101
B62D025/06 |
Claims
1. A molding fixing assembly for securing a roof molding in a roof
groove defined by a vehicle body, the molding fixing assembly
comprising: a bracket fixedly secured in the roof groove, the
bracket including a base and a pair of arms extending substantially
perpendicularly from opposed longitudinal side edges of the base,
at least one of the arms including a first retaining member and a
second retaining member having a configuration different than the
first retaining member; and a separate clip mounted to the roof
molding, the clip including a body having a pair of longitudinal
sidewalls and a pair of end walls, at least one of the sidewalls
having a post projecting therefrom, wherein to connect the clip to
the bracket, the sidewalls of the clip are positioned between the
pair of arms of the bracket, the first retaining member engaging
one of the sidewalls of the clip and the second retaining member
engaging the post.
2. The molding fixing assembly of claim 1, wherein the second
retaining member of the bracket is defined by a centrally located
cutout in the at least one arm, the cutout includes a tapered
portion that reduces an open area of the cutout, the tapered
portion securing the post within the cutout.
3. The molding fixing assembly of claim 2, wherein the first
retaining member includes a pair of inwardly extending tabs, the
cutout being interposed between the pair of tabs.
4. The molding fixing assembly of claim 3, wherein each of the arms
of the bracket includes a pair of inwardly extending tabs, and the
cutout is interposed between the pair of tabs of each arm.
5. The molding fixing assembly of claim 4, wherein each of the
sidewalls of the clip body includes a post projecting therefrom,
each post being received in one of the cutouts provided in the arms
of bracket.
6. The molding fixing assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of
the sidewalls of the clip body includes a ledge extending outwardly
therefrom, the ledge being engaged by the first retaining member of
the bracket.
7. The molding fixing assembly of claim 6, wherein each of the
sidewalls and end walls of the clip body includes an outwardly
extending ledge, the ledges separating the clip body into a first
portion and a second portion, one of the first portion and second
portion being engaged by the roof molding for securing the clip to
the roof molding.
8. The molding fixing assembly of claim 1, wherein the base of the
bracket includes longitudinally spaced end portions and a central
portion, the end portions being fixedly secured to the vehicle
body, the central portion being raised relative to the end
portions, the pair of arms extending from the central portion.
9. The molding fixing assembly of claim 1, wherein the base of the
bracket includes a datum hole and a datum slot spaced from the
datum hole which together define a locating feature to ensure
accurate positioning of the bracket within the roof groove.
10. The molding fixing assembly of claim 9 wherein the clip body
includes a pair of spaced openings aligned with the locating
feature of the bracket.
11. The molding fixing assembly of claim 9, wherein the base of the
bracket includes a magnet for temporarily holding the bracket in
the roof groove as the bracket is being positioned via the locating
feature.
12. A vehicle assembly comprising: a vehicle body including a
center roof panel and a side roof panel, a connection portion
between the center roof panel and the side roof panel forming a
roof groove; a roof molding configured to be secured at least
partially in the roof groove; a bracket fixedly secured in the roof
groove, the bracket including a base and a pair of arms extending
outwardly from opposed longitudinal side edges of the base, at
least one of the arms including a retaining member and a cutout,
the base further including a datum hole and a datum slot spaced
from the datum hole which together define a locating feature to
ensure accurate positioning of the bracket within the roof groove;
and a separate clip mounted to the roof molding, the clip including
a body having a post projecting therefrom, the body being
dimensioned to be received between the pair of arms of the bracket,
wherein the retaining member is adapted to engage the body and the
cutout is sized to receive the post.
13. The vehicle assembly of claim 12, wherein the clip body is
rectangular shaped and includes a pair of longitudinal sidewalls
and a pair of end walls, at least one of the sidewalls having the
post projecting therefrom.
14. The vehicle assembly of claim 13, wherein each of the arms of
the bracket includes a retaining member, and each of the sidewalls
of the clip body includes an outwardly extending ledge, the ledge
of each sidewall being engaged by one of the retaining members.
15. The vehicle assembly of claim 14, wherein each of the arms of
the bracket includes a cutout, and each of the sidewalls of the
clip body includes a post projecting therefrom, each post being
received in one of the cutouts.
16. The vehicle assembly of claim 14, wherein the ledges separate
the clip body into a first portion and a second portion, one of the
first portion and second portion being engaged by the roof molding
for securing the clip to the roof molding.
17. A method of securing a roof molding within a roof groove
defined by a vehicle body comprising: providing a locating feature
on a bracket; positioning the bracket within the roof groove via
the locating feature; fixedly securing the bracket in the groove,
the bracket having a U-shaped, centrally located portion having a
first retaining member and a second retaining member; securing a
separate clip to a portion of the roof molding, the clip having a
body having an outwardly extending ledge and a projection located
adjacent the ledge; positioning the clip in the U-shaped portion of
the bracket; and releasably engaging the ledge of the clip with the
first retaining member and the projection of the clip with the
second retaining member.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first retaining member is
defined by a first pair of inwardly extending tabs and a second
pair of inwardly extending tabs which are laterally spaced from the
first pair of tabs, and the engaging step includes positioning the
clip body at least partially below the first and second pairs of
tabs such that the first and second pairs of tabs engage an upper
surface of the ledge.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second retaining member is
defined by a pair of laterally spaced cutouts, each cutout having a
tapered portion that reduces an open area of the cutout, and the
clip includes a pair of laterally spaced projections, and the
engaging step includes positioning the projections in the
cutouts.
20. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of
providing visual points on a bottom wall of the roof groove for
positively locating the bracket, and temporarily holding the
bracket in the groove as the bracket is being positioned relative
to the visual points via the locating feature.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Vehicles typically include a roof panel and a side body
panel that are joined together at the bottom of a flange structure
extending along the mating edges of the roof panel and the side
body panel. This structure creates a groove or ditch at the
juncture between the roof panel and the side panel that extends
along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle roof. A roof
molding is installed into the roof ditch to provide an
aesthetically pleasing appearance and also prevent dirt and foreign
matter from residing in the ditch. The roof molding can be retained
within the ditch by a series of clips. The molding is inserted into
the clips, and the clips can then be secured to studs (e.g.,
T-shaped studs) provided in spaced relation on a bottom wall of the
ditch.
[0002] When fixing the roof molding to a predetermined position of
a vehicle body panel, an insertion hole of the clip is arranged
just above the stud. The roof molding is then inserted into the
ditch and a head portion of the T-shaped stud is inserted into the
insertion hole of the clip. Then, a forward end portion of the roof
molding in the longitudinal direction thereof is pushed toward the
bottom wall of the ditch and the roof molding is moved in the
longitudinal direction while being pushed. In this way, the head
portion of the stud is inserted into the insertion hole of the clip
thereby fixing the roof molding within the roof ditch. With this
arrangement, both the clip fixed to the lower surface side of the
roof molding and the stud fixed on the bottom wall of the ditch
cannot be completely viewed by a worker because they are generally
hidden by the roof molding (or positioned at a blind spot).
Accordingly, the fixing of the roof molding requires much skill and
attention. Further, the use of the T-shaped studs can create
problems with the attachment of the roof molding within the ditch.
For example, there can be a height and/or angle variation between
adjacent studs. This can reduce worker efficiency with respect to
installation of the roof molding.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0003] In accordance with one aspect, a molding fixing assembly for
securing a roof molding in a roof groove defined by a vehicle body
comprises a bracket fixedly secured in the roof groove and a
separate clip mounted to the roof molding. The bracket includes a
base and a pair of arms extending substantially perpendicularly
from opposed longitudinal side edges of the base. At least one of
the arms includes a first retaining member and a second retaining
member having a configuration different than the first retaining
member. The clip includes a body having a pair of longitudinal
sidewalls and a pair of end walls. At least one of the sidewalls
has a post projecting therefrom. To connect the clip to the
bracket, the sidewalls of the clip are positioned between the pair
of arms of the bracket. The first retaining member engages one of
the sidewalls of the clip and the second retaining member engages
the post.
[0004] In accordance with another aspect, a vehicle assembly
comprises a vehicle body including a center roof panel and a side
roof panel. A connection portion between the center roof panel and
the side roof panel forms a roof groove. A molding is configured to
be secured at least partially in the roof groove. A bracket is
fixedly secured in the roof groove. The bracket includes a base and
a pair of arms extending outwardly from opposed longitudinal side
edges of the base. At least one of the arms includes a retaining
member and a cutout. The base further includes a datum hole and a
datum slot spaced from the datum hole which together define a
locating feature to ensure accurate positioning of the bracket
within the roof groove. A separate clip is mounted to the molding.
The clip includes a body having a post projecting therefrom. The
body is dimensioned to be received between the pair of arms of the
bracket. The retaining member is adapted to engage the body and the
cutout is sized to receive the post.
[0005] In accordance with yet another aspect, a method of securing
a roof molding within a roof groove defined by a vehicle body
comprises providing a locating feature on a bracket; positioning
the bracket within the roof groove via the locating feature;
fixedly securing the bracket in the roof groove, the bracket having
a U-shaped, centrally located portion having a first retaining
member and a second retaining member; securing a separate clip to a
portion of the roof molding, the clip having a body having an
outwardly extending ledge and a projection located adjacent the
ledge; positioning the clip in the U-shaped portion of the bracket;
and releasably engaging the ledge of the clip with the first
retaining member and the projection of the clip with the second
retaining member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle in which a roof
molding of an elongated shape is fixed along a roof groove or ditch
provided along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle at a side
edge portion of a roof panel of a vehicle body.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of
FIG. 1 showing a molding fixing assembly including a bracket and a
molding clip, according to a configuration of the present
disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the roof groove
of FIG. 1 showing the bracket secured to a bottom of the roof
groove and the clip mounted to the molding.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a top view of the roof groove and bracket of FIG.
3.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 3.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a top view of the bracket of FIG. 5.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a side view of the bracket of FIG. 5.
[0013] FIG. 8 is an end view of the bracket of FIG. 5.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the molding clip of FIG.
3.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a top view of the clip of FIG. 9.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a side view of the clip of FIG. 9.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of
the molding clip of FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] It should, of course, be understood that the description and
drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various
modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed
without departing from the present disclosure. In general, the
figures of the exemplary molding fixing assembly are not to scale.
It should be appreciated that the term "plurality" means "two or
more", unless expressly specified otherwise. It will also be
appreciated that the various identified components of the exemplary
molding fixing assembly disclosed herein are merely terms of art
that may vary from one manufacturer to another and should not be
deemed to limit the present disclosure.
[0019] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer
to like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 is a perspective
view of a vehicle V having a pair of elongated side or roof
moldings 100 attached to a pair of roof grooves or ditches 102
defined by a vehicle body and provided along a longitudinal
direction of the vehicle. In FIG. 1, end portions in a vehicle
width direction of a center roof panel 110 and left and right side
panels or frames 112 and 114, which together define a roof 120, are
overlapped by a predetermined width and are fixedly connected to
each other. Each roof groove 102 is formed at the joined portion
along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and each roof
molding 100 is fit into one of the roof grooves 102. The left and
right side frames 112, 114 may be identically constructed, but for
their disposition on opposite sides of the vehicle V. To simplify
the explanation of the present disclosure, only the roof molding
100 connected in the roof groove 102 provided along the left side
frame 112 (hereinafter side frame 112) will be discussed in detail,
but it should be understood that the same construction could be
used for the right side of the vehicle.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, an end portion 122 of the roof panel 110
and an end portion 124 of the side frame 112 each carry a flange
structure that is used to attach the roof panel and side frame
together. In particular, and according to one aspect, the roof
panel 110 has a flange structure including a vertical wall 130 and
a horizontal wall 132. The vertical wall 130 has a shelf 136 that
is indented below (in a vehicle height direction) an upper surface
of the roof panel 110. The side frame 112 has a flange structure
including a vertical wall 140 and a horizontal wall 142. A shelf
144 is provided in the vertical wall 140. The horizontal walls 132
and 142 overlap with one another and can be welded together by a
series of electric resistance spot welds, not shown, that are
provided along the length of the roof panel 110 and side frame 112.
Accordingly, as depicted in FIG. 2, the juncture between the roof
panel 110 and body side frame 112 forms the roof groove or ditch
102 that will run the longitudinal length of the vehicle roof
120.
[0021] The roof molding 100 can be made of a relatively flexible
plastic in an extrusion process. The roof molding 100 is provided
to fill the roof groove 102 and can include an ornament portion 150
sized to cover an opening of the roof groove 102. The ornament
portion 150 can include a left wing 152 (per the orientation shown
in FIG. 2) that extends into overlapping engagement with the shelf
136 of the roof panel 110 and a right wing 154 that extends into
overlapping engagement with the shelf 144 of the side frame 112.
The molding 100 can also have a plurality of separate attachment
members 160 connected to the ornament portion 150 and housed at
least partially within the roof groove 102 for securing the molding
100 to the vehicle roof 120. The ornament portion 150 can include
an elongated lower channel 162 adapted to receive an upper part 164
of each attachment member 160.
[0022] An exemplary molding fixing assembly 170 according to the
present disclosure is provided for securing the roof molding 100 in
the roof groove 102. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the molding
fixing assembly 170 includes a plurality of brackets 172 installed
at spaced intervals along the length of the roof groove 102 and a
plurality of separate molding or retaining clips 174 mounted to the
attachment members 160 provided on the roof molding 100 and
connectable to the brackets 172. As shown in FIGS. 5-8, in general,
each bracket 172 includes a base 180 and a pair of arms 182, 184
extending substantially perpendicularly from opposed longitudinal
side edges 186, 188 of the base. At least one of the arms 180, 182
includes a first retaining member 190 and a second retaining member
192 having a configuration different than the first retaining
member. As shown in FIGS. 9-12, in general, the clip 174 includes a
rectangular shaped body 194 dimensioned to be received between the
pair of bracket arms 182, 184. The body 194 has a pair of opposing
longitudinal sidewalls 196, 198 and a pair of opposing end walls
200, 202. At least one of the sidewalls has a projection or post
204 projecting therefrom. To connect the clip 174 to the bracket
172, the sidewalls 196, 198 of the clip are positioned between the
pair of arms 182, 184 of the bracket. The first retaining member
190 engages one of the sidewalls 196, 198 of the clip 174 and the
second retaining member 192 engages the post 204, which will be
described in more detail below.
[0023] More particularly, the base 180 of the bracket 172 includes
longitudinally spaced end portions 210, 212 and a central portion
214. The end portions 210, 212 are fixedly secured to the vehicle
body, for example by welding the end portions to the horizontal
wall 132 of the roof panel 110. The central portion 214 can be
raised relative to the end portions 210, 212. The pair of arms 182,
184 extends from the central portion 214 and together with the
central portion defines a general U-shape. As indicted above, at
least one of the arms 182, 184 includes the first retaining member
190 and the second retaining member 192. In the embodiment of the
bracket 172 depicted in FIGS. 5-8, each of the arms 180, 182 of the
bracket 172 includes the first and second retaining members 190 and
192. The first retaining member 190 can include a pair of inwardly
extending tabs 220, 222, meaning that the tabs 220, 220 provided on
one of the arms extend toward the other arm. Thus, the exemplary
bracket 174 includes the first retaining member defined by the pair
of inwardly extending tabs 220, 222 on arm 180 and the pair of
inwardly extending tabs 220, 222 on arm 182 which are laterally
spaced from the other pair of tabs. The second retaining member 192
is defined by a cutout 226 located in each arm 180, 182. As shown,
each cutout 226 is centrally located on each of the arms 180, 182
and is interposed between the pair of tabs 220, 222 provided on
that arm; although, this positioning of the cutout on each arm 182,
184 is not required. Each cutout 226 includes a tapered portion 228
that reduces an open area of the cutout, and, as will be described
below, the tapered portion 228 secures the post 204 within the
cutout.
[0024] With reference to FIGS. 9-12, the clip 174 includes a pair
of laterally spaced posts 204. Particularly, each of the sidewalls
196, 198 of the clip body 194 includes the post 204 projecting
therefrom. Each post 204 is received in one of the cutouts 226
provided in the arms 182, 184 of bracket 172. Each post 204 is
dimensioned slightly smaller than the cutouts 226, but larger than
the size of the tapered portions 228. The posts 204 are forced
through the tapered portions 228, and, as indicated above, the
tapered portions 228 secure the posts 204 in the cutouts 226. The
clip body 194 further includes a pair of longitudinal spaced
openings 230 and 232. The openings reduce the weight of the clip
174 and can facilitate the securing of the clip to the bracket 172.
At least one of the sidewalls 196, 198 of the clip body 194
includes a ledge 240 extending outwardly therefrom. The ledge 240
is located adjacent the post 204 and is engaged by one of the first
retaining members 190 of the bracket 172. In the depicted
embodiment, each of the sidewalls 196, 198 and end walls 200, 202
of the clip body 194 includes the outwardly extending ledge 240.
The ledge 240 includes an upwardly and outwardly inclined surface
242 and an upper surface 244. The ledge 240 further separates the
clip body 194 into a first (upper) portion 250 and a second (lower)
portion 252, one of which can be engaged by the roof molding 100
for securing the clip 174 to the molding. As shown in FIGS. 2 and
3, the first portion 250 is engaged by a lower part 256 of the
attachment member 160 of the roof molding 110.
[0025] As depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bracket 172 is suitably
attached at the bottom of the roof groove 102. To provide for
proper placement of the bracket 172 in the roof groove 102, visual
points are located on a bottom wall of the roof groove. The visual
points can be defined by spaced apart protuberances 270 provided on
the horizontal wall 132 of the roof panel 110; although,
alternative means for the visual points are contemplated. The
bracket 272 is positioned between adjacent protuberances 270. The
base 180 of the bracket 172 further includes a datum hole 280 and a
datum slot 282 spaced from the datum hole. The datum hole 280 and
datum slot 282 together define a locating feature that together
with the visual points 270 ensure accurate positioning of the
bracket 172 within the roof groove 102. The base 180 can also
include a magnet 284 for temporarily holding the bracket 172 in the
roof groove 102 as the bracket 172 is being positioned via the
locating feature. The pair of spaced openings 230, 232 of the clip
274 is aligned with the locating feature of the bracket 172, which,
in turn, aligns the posts 204 with the cutouts 226 of the bracket
172.
[0026] The bracket 172 can be of stamped metal construction, and
the clip 174 can be made of a plastic material. The bracket arms
182, 184 provide retaining functions by their engagement with the
clip 174. To install the clip 174 within the bracket 172, the posts
204 are aligned with the cutouts 226. A downward insertion force
applied to the molding 100 causes the clip body 194, specifically
the ledge 244, to forcibly spread apart the opposed arms 182, 184
so that the ledge 244 can pass below the tabs 220, 222 provided on
each of the arms 182, 184. The inclined surface 242 of the ledge
240 engages with the tabs 220, 222 to allow the ledge 240 to pass
beyond the first retaining members 190. The tabs 220, 222 provide a
wedge that engages the upper surface 244 of the ledge 240. This
downward force also moves the posts 204 below the tapered portions
228 and into the cutouts 226. Upon the full insertion of the roof
molding 100, the left wing 152 and right wing 154 of the molding
100 are engaging respectively with the shelf 136 of the roof panel
110 and the shelf 144 of the side frame 112. Accordingly, once the
roof molding 100 reaches its fully installed position of FIG. 2,
the arms 182, 184 provide a downward, retaining force upon the
molding 100, with the posts 204 being retained in the cutouts
226.
[0027] The present disclosure further provides an exemplary method
of securing the roof molding 100 within the roof groove 102 defined
by the vehicle body. The method includes providing a locating
feature 280, 282 on the bracket 172; positioning the bracket 172
within the roof groove 102 via the locating feature; fixedly
securing the bracket 172 in the roof groove 102; securing the
separate clip 174 to a portion of the molding 100; positioning the
clip 174 in the U-shaped central portion 214 of the base 180 of the
bracket 172; and releasably engaging the ledge 240 of the clip 174
with the first retaining member 190 and the projection 204 of the
clip with the second retaining member 192. The engaging step
includes positioning the clip body 194 at least partially below the
pairs of tabs 220, 222 provided on the arms 182, 184 such that the
pairs of tabs engages the upper surface 244 of the ledge 240. The
engaging step further includes positioning the clip projections 204
in the bracket cutouts 226. The method further includes the step of
providing visual points 270 on the bottom wall of the roof groove
102 for positively locating the bracket 172 and temporarily holding
the bracket 172 in the groove as the bracket is being positioned
relative to the visual points via the locating feature 280,
282.
[0028] Accordingly, as is evident from the foregoing, the exemplary
molding fixing assembly 170 includes the roof bracket 172 which is
fixedly secured within the roof ditch 102 and the corresponding
clip 174 which is connected to the roof molding 100. The roof
bracket 172 includes the base 180 and the pair of arms 182, 184
extending from opposed side edges of the base. The base 180
includes the datum hole 280 and datum slot 282 which together
define a locating feature to ensure accurate positioning of the
roof bracket 172 within the ditch 102. Each arm 180, 182 includes
an inwardly extending tab 220, 222 and a cutout 226, which can be
centrally located on each arm. The clip 174 includes the base 294
having the pair of sidewalls 196, 198 and the pair of end walls
200, 202, each sidewall and end wall having a ledge extending
outwardly therefrom. Further, each sidewall 196, 198 can include
the post 204 projecting therefrom. To connect the clip 174 to the
bracket 172, the posts 204 are positioned in the cutouts 226
provided on the sidewalls of the bracket. As the clip 174 is pushed
downwardly into the bracket 172, the ledges 240 on the sidewalls
move past the inwardly extending tabs 220, 222 of the bracket 172
and the posts 204 move downwardly into the cutouts 226. The clip
174 is then prevented from being removed from the bracket by the
engagement of the retaining tabs 220, 222 and the corresponding
ledges 240.
[0029] It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed
and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be
desirably combined into many other different systems or
applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or
unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or
improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in
the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following
claims.
* * * * *